INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 5 



early by "ectostosis ;" " endostosis" being set up afterwards to finish what the first process 

 began. The ends and certain outstanding snags of these long bones ossify very late by central 

 endostosis : these, I am bold to say, are arrested segments, which soon fall back, as it were, into 

 the main part. 



The cartilaginous plate may have two or more ectosteal territories in it, as we see in 

 the human " pelvis ;" and there no one doubts the morphological distinctness of these self- 

 evident regions : another pertinent instance is the Sternum of the common Fowl and that of the 

 Ostrich. 



A feebler mode of merely osseous subdivision is where all the bony tracts are at first, and 

 in some cases persistently, merely endosteal deposits ; this is well seen in the Sternum of Lizards, 

 where the ossification is permanently arrested ; and in Birds generally, with the exception of those 

 mentioned above (Gallinse and Struthioninae), where the ossification commences as in the Lizards, 

 but runs a rapid course, and acquires an ectosteal layer before its completion. 



On a subject so complex the observer is glad to find as many waymarks as possible; 

 I think that the above are true and safe, and that by patient observance of them the variously 

 subdivided morphological territories, with their many modes of enclosure, may be surveyed and 

 mapped correctly. 



The term " phalanges" for the joints that form the whole limb and its root is too special ; 

 '' rays" 1 would be better, and when required can be used with this caution, namely, that they be 

 not confounded with the cartilaginous rays which proceed from the facial and branchial arches in 

 Plagiostomes, nor with those which become segmented from the ribs in some Lizards (e.g. 

 Hatteria punctata], in Crocodiles, and in all Birds save the Palamedeas. All these latter rays 

 belong to the axial skeleton ; and the theorists generally have imagined a simplicity and a 

 uniformity which is not to be found in nature, and have confounded these two different classes of 

 rays. 



In naming the " rays" that form the Shoulder-girdle, the prefixes, super-, pra-, meso-, epi-, 

 &c., will suffice to distinguish the territories to be found in the " scapula" and the " coracoid. :" 

 in the Sternum a similar simplicity will characterise the terminology. 



Being compelled, from the nature of my work, to show a large number of instances, the 

 necessity for a copious supply of " subjects" has been great ; these, .however, have come to hand 

 most opportunely, for my kind friends have helped me very liberally. 



Amongst these I must mention Professors Huxley, Rolleston, and Rupert Jones ; Mr. 

 Flower and the Council of the College of Surgeons ; Mr. Bartlett ; Mr. Henry Power, Drs. 

 Giinther and Murie, Mr. St. George Mivart, Mr. Swinhoe (H. M. S. Consul, Formosa) ; Mr. E. 

 Christy ; Mr. Tegetmeier ; and Mr. T. J. Moore 2 (of Liverpool) ; but some of the best materials 

 of all have been put into my hands by my friend Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins, these were princi- 

 pally large Reptiles. 



1 I hope never again to use that mischievous word " apophysis," with its ninety-and-nine prefixes ; 

 it was a cloudy and dark day for anatomical science when the transcendentalists, '' with their enchant- 

 ments," brought this swarm upon the land. 



2 In a rich supply of Guano-mummies of the Booby and Cormorant, from the Chincha Islands, 

 given me by Mr. Moore, I first found the complexity of the Bird's " furcula," and was hence excited to 

 work out the whole subject (see 'Zool. Proc.' for June 28th, 1864). 



